Eddie Jordan Criticizes Ferrari’s Decision to Replace Carlos Sainz with Lewis Hamilton as ‘Suicidal‘
Formula 1 pundit and former team principal Eddie Jordan has strongly criticized Ferrari’s decision to replace Carlos Sainz with Lewis Hamilton, calling it an “absolutely suicidal” move. This backlash follows a highly successful 2024 season for Sainz, who defied the uncertainty surrounding his future at Ferrari and delivered some of his best performances yet.
At the start of the 2024 season, it seemed as though Sainz’s tenure at Ferrari was nearing its end. Despite solid performances, he had been overlooked for potential moves to top teams like Red Bull and Mercedes. There were rumors that his seat might be given to other drivers, including Hamilton, whose future with Mercedes appeared uncertain. However, Sainz’s remarkable resilience saw him secure multiple podium finishes, including his first-ever Grand Prix victories in Melbourne and Mexico City. His standout performances were pivotal in keeping him competitive in the Drivers’ Championship, where he finished just two points behind Oscar Piastri in fourth place. This was even after missing one race due to an appendicitis surgery.
In contrast, Hamilton had a difficult season in 2024. Despite winning two races, the seven-time world champion struggled throughout the year, particularly in qualifying, where he was consistently outperformed by his younger teammate, George Russell. In their head-to-head qualifying results, Hamilton trailed Russell by a wide margin of 19-5. As a result, Hamilton ended the season in seventh place in the Drivers’ Championship, marking the first time in his illustrious career that he finished outside the top six.
On his “Formula For Success” podcast, Eddie Jordan expressed his astonishment at Ferrari’s decision to sign Hamilton, describing it as a decision that could seriously harm the team’s future. He emphasized that Sainz had proven his worth with strong performances in 2024, and replacing him with Hamilton could backfire. Jordan pointed to Sainz’s consistency and impressive race wins as evidence that the Spanish driver had not only earned his place at Ferrari but had also demonstrated that he could compete with the best on the grid.
In contrast, Jordan suggested that Hamilton’s 2024 season raised serious questions about his ability to perform at the highest level. While Hamilton’s career is undeniably successful, Jordan argued that it would be a major risk for Ferrari to put their faith in a driver whose performances had dipped significantly compared to previous seasons. He even went so far as to label the decision “absolutely suicidal” for the Italian team, especially with the leadership of team principal Fred Vasseur and chairman John Elkann in mind. According to Jordan, Ferrari might end up regretting this move, particularly if Hamilton’s struggles in 2024 were indicative of a wider decline in his form.
Jordan’s critique was shared during the podcast’s end-of-season awards segment, where he described Ferrari’s decision as one of the biggest shocks of the 2024 season. The decision to opt for a driver of Hamilton’s caliber over Sainz, who had shown consistent and competitive performances, was a major talking point within the F1 community. While Hamilton’s legacy as one of the greatest drivers of all time remains intact, Jordan’s comments suggest that Ferrari might be gambling on a future with a driver whose peak years may be behind him, while overlooking a more consistent and hungry driver in Sainz.
